Fundamental Iron Skills:

Tempering Body and Limbs with Ancient Methods

Dr. Dale Dugas is a board-certified, state licensed Acupuncture Physician/Doctor of Oriental Medicine (AP/DOM) as well as a board-certified Chinese herbalist. His passion for traditional Asian medicinal practices arose in the late 1980s, while living in Iwate Prefecture, Northern Japan; working for the local Japanese Government in the Board of Education for Yamada township. There he was exposed to Japanese style Acupuncture and herbal medicine. He additionally holds a a Masters in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, and a BA in Japanese Studies

Dr. Dugas has over 35 years of training in Chinese, Okinawan and Japanese martial arts, including Uechi-ryu Karate, Judo/Jujitsu, Jook Lum Tong Long Pai/Southern Mantis, Shuai Jiao, Xingyiquan, Baguazhang, Taijiquan and Internal/External Qigong systems. He began his martial arts journey as a young teenager and has traveled extensively to train privately and publicly in both Chinese martial arts and traditional Chinese medicinal systems. He is a highly trained proponent of traditional Dit Da Ke (Chinese trauma medicine) as well as Tieh Sha Zhang Gong (Iron Palm) and Tieh Be Shan Gong (Iron Vest). He teaches publicly and privately and treats patients in Tampa, Florida.

About the Book

Iron Palm Training: Do you want hard arms for blocking and striking? How about an iron body to absorb blows from an attacker? In Fundamental Iron Skills, Dale Dugas shows you how to develop these ancient skills in a safe, step-by-step manner. This is the first book to cover all aspects of iron skills training in one volume, including solo training, use of auxiliary training equipment, herbal liniments and soaks, breaking techniques and fighting applications.

In eight chapters containing nearly 200 photographs, Dugas explains the different ways you can set up your training area with support stands and tables, different types of training bags and open medium for striking as well as complete methods of safely training Iron Palm from beginning to the intermediate level are examined. Herbal medications for external use are discussed in detail and formulas for Iron Palm Training Liniment (Dit Da Jau) and soaks are included.

After the fundamentals, Dugas teaches how to test your development by breaking objects like wood, paving blocks, and coconuts. Detailed text and phots show you how. Following this are demonstrated fighting techniques from the internal art of Baguazhang and the short-power art of Jook Lum Southern Mantis. Each technique emphasizes a different Iron Skill developed in the book and discusses specific pressure points for striking and taking out your opponent.

Learn to distinguish between the myths and the reality of Iron Skills training and see how you can train to create a stronger and healthier set of arms/hands.

Only $29.95

Rave Reviews

“The myth of iron palm training from kung-fu movies has finally met its match in Dale Dugas’ comprehensive book. No secrets! No mystical mumbo jumbo! Making this a manual for all serious practitioners of iron skills.”–Dr. Mark Wiley, International Beng Hong Athletic Association

“In the old days, a potential student would abandon their lives and travel miles to find a man like Dale Dugas. Luckily for the reader, in your hands you have much of Dale’s wisdom, without ever leaving your home.”–Sifu David Ross, New York San Da

“Dale Dugas has set himself the project of de-emphasizing the miraculous… (offering) many tips, herbal formulas, some applications, lots of lore and insight into this key corner of Kung-fu training.” –Ted Mancuso, PlumPub & Kai Men Blog

“Fundamental Iron Skills” is the most up to date and accessible text on the subject to date. This book will be of interest to Chinese Martial Art practitioners of all styles since Iron Skills were not unique to one system or group. Herbalists and healers will also find this a valuable reference as Iron Skills at the highest level are all about healing and nourishing the body, mind, and spirit.” –Jake Burroughs, The Ground Never Misses

“I can’t think of any other book that covers all aspects of iron skills training in one volume, including solo training, use of auxiliary training equipment, herbal liniments and soaks, breaking techniques and fighting applications…. Fundamental Iron Skills is most definitely a useful book to include in anyone’s martial arts library.” –Paul Bradshaw, Ancient to Future

“This books puts forth some of the more extreme sides of martial arts in a very simple, matter-of-fact way. An excellent introduction to the ways of building up your own iron skills.”–Jaredd Wilson, Martial Thoughts